Mr. Gear.: 

—­I don’t know much about church management but I like the tone of that man’s letter, and I should like to know more about him.  I believe if we were to appoint a committee to go out to Koniwasset Corners, hear him preach, look in on his Sabbath-school, find out what kind of a pastor he is, and in a word see what sort of work he’s doing where he is now, we would get his measure a great deal better than we should get it by having him come here, and give us one of his crack sermons-even if he would do it, I honor him because he won’t.

Deacon Goodsole.: 

—­I am afraid it wouldn’t do Mr. Gear-not with our people.  I wouldn’t mind it myself.

Mr. Wheaton,:  [(blandly).]

—­You see Mr. Gear you don’t understand church matters altogether.  It would not be ecclesiastical-not at all.

Mr. Gear,:  [(sarcastically and sotto voce).]

—­I hope I may never learn.

Laicus,:  [(desiring to prevent controversy).]

—­Gentlemen, I for one agree with Mr. Gear.  But we are evidently in the minority; so there is nothing more to be said about it.  We both believe in government by the majority, and shall submit.  What next, Deacon?  Are there any of your letters you want to read to us?

Deacon Goodsole.: 

—­Oh no!  It isn’t worth while to read any of them.  Though I am sorry for that poor old man and his pleading daughter.

Mr. Wheaton.: 

—­The Deacon’s list are all too anxious.

Deacon Goodsole.: 

—­I suppose there is nothing to do but to pursue the usual course.  I move that Mr. Laicus and Mr. Wheaton be appointed to open a correspondence with candidates.

Laicus,:  [(decidedly).]

You must excuse me gentlemen.  I don’t believe in candidating, and I can’t be accessory to it.  I will substitute Deacon Goodsole’s name for my own.  And as so amended will put the motion.

As so amended the motion was put, and carried, and the committee on supply adjourned to meet at the call of Deacon Goodsole and Mr. Wheaton.  But as we walked along toward my home, M. Gear remarked to me that he wished I would let him know when we got a parson so that he could come to church again; for said he, “I have no inclination to serve as a parson tester.”  And I confess I am quite of mind with him.

CHAPTER XV.

Our Christmas at Wheathedge.

Is there any reason why Episcopalians, Lutherans and Roman Catholics should have a monopoly of Christmas?  Is its glorious old patron Saint partial?  Has the Christ-child no gifts for us as well as for other folk?  Have the December heavens no brightness-the angel host no song for “blue Presbyterians?” May we not come to the sacred manger too?  Are our Church festivals so many that we need dread to add another?  Is our religion so inclined to gayety and money-making that we need curb its joyous tendencies?  The very air of Christmas is marvellous.  The heavens are never so blue, the sun never shines with a profuser generosity.  The very earth clothes itself in the spotless white of the heavenly robe, as if to prepare for the coming of its Lord.